News

Upton Hill volunteers recognised

Members of the Upton Hill CFA were recognised for their years of service at a special presentation at the station on Friday night.

Member for Euroa and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan attended to present 10 members of the brigade with awards for their service.

The award recipients included:

Trevor Corker – 35 year medal

Sam Plunkett – 30 year medal

Guy Manson – 30 year medal

Peter King – 20 year medal

Catriona King – 20 year medal

Grant Taresch – 15 year medal

Sandy Mackenzie – 10 year medal

Andrew Corker – 5 year certificate

Kevin Bradley – 5 year certificate

Gerry Meagher – 5 year certificate

Ms Ryan said the CFA played an important role in both ensuring the community's safety and bringing people together.

"Year in, year out brigades like Upton Hill put in hours of effort to ensure people, homes, livestock and assets are protected from the threat of fire,” Ms Ryan said.

“We should never take for granted the willingness of members of the community to put themselves at risk to ensure the safety of the whole community."

Ms Ryan said the evening highlighted the importance of volunteer brigades such as Upton Hill in the broader picture of bushfire protection across Victoria.

“Over the years members of the Upton Hill brigade have helped defend the district against large fires like the Whiteheads Creek fire in 2012 and the Creightons Creek and Kilmore fires in 2014,” Ms Ryan said.

“The past month has been a difficult time for Victoria’s CFA volunteers as Daniel Andrews attempts to ram through an unlawful EBA which would hand control of the CFA to the union.

“I will continue to highlight the important role brigades like Upton Hill play so Daniel Andrews understands he cannot disrespect CFA volunteers and the important work they do," Ms Ryan said.

The brigade also presented Ms Ryan with a signed petition calling on the Andrews Labor Government to take its hands off the CFA which Ms Ryan will table in Parliament in August.